Nucleus--nucleus total cross sections for light nuclei at 1.55 and 2.89 GeV/ C/nucleon

Total cross sections have been measured for protons, deuterons, alphas, and $sup 12$C on hydrogen, deuterium, helium, and carbon targets at 1.55 and 2.89 GeV/c/nucleon using the ''good geometry'' transmission method. In addition, the inelastic cross sections and elastic slope parameters were measured for reactions initiated by deuterons, alphas, and $sup 12$C. The factorization relation sigma/ sub T/(AA) = sigma/sub T/(AB)$sup 2$/sigma/sub T/(BB) is violated for some of these reactions. The results generally agree with Glauber theory predictions except in their detailed energy behavior. It is found that sigma/sub T/ approximately equal to 144 (A/sub T//sup $sup 1$/$sub 3$/ + A/sub P//sup $sup 1$/ $sub 3$/ - 1.48)$sup 2$ and sigma/sub IN/ approximately equal to 78 (A/sub T//sup $sup 1$/$sub 3$/ + A/sub P//sup $sup 1$/$sub 3$/ - 1.25)$sup 2$, where A/sub T/(A/ sub P/) is the atomic mass number of the target (projectile) and the cross sections are given in mb. (auth